Golden Print [EN]: Chapter 87

The air in the room was thick with tension.

Kim Ki-sung was a serious competitor. He didn’t become a ‘Star Designer’ by luck.

Woojin hadn’t been pushed back by Kim Ki-sung in the first round. The score was close, 12 to 13.

In the end, Kim Ki-sung answered three questions in a row, leading the ‘Dooyoung’ team to victory.

“The winner is Team Dooyoung!”

“Team Dooyoung’s interior budget will be increased by ₩2,000,000!”

However, the ‘Jaeyeop’ team didn’t lose completely. Woojin had correctly guessed the materials he wanted to use.

Because of this, he was able to use the production team’s ₩500,000 support.

Of course, losing after almost winning was a bit disappointing.

‘Still, it made the show more interesting,’ Woojin thought.

Woojin smiled as he watched Ki-sung and the Dooyoung team celebrate. It was funny to see Kim Ki-sung, who was usually so serious, so happy.

Producer Gong Jin-young was also very happy. ‘Great scene!’ she thought.

It’s hard for the production team when one team wins easily. It’s more fun when it’s close and exciting.

The first round, with its close score, was a success. Producer Gong was excited for the next mission, ‘Electronic Brain.’

“Alright, next mission! Let’s start ‘Electronic Brain’!”

Whirr!

The assistant producer blew the whistle, and the two teams hurried off in different directions. Woojin and Ki-sung led their teams.

Woojin had lost the first mission by a little, and now he was even more determined to win.

“Jaeyeop-hyung, do you see that sign that says ‘Glulam’?” Woojin asked.

“Uh, I see it!” Jaeyeop replied.

“Hyung, please find some ‘Mahogany Glulam’ there!”

“Maho? What-gany?” Jaeyeop asked, confused.

“Ma. Ho. Ga. Ny! Glulam material!” Woojin said, spelling it out.

There are many types of wood, but they can be divided into hardwood and softwood. Mahogany is a high-quality wood.

‘This is the best way to get exactly ₩1,900,000 worth of materials,’ Woojin thought.

Mahogany isn’t usually found in these complexes. It’s a top-grade wood with a beautiful, warm color.

It’s often used for musical instruments because it makes a great sound. Glulam, which is re-processed wood, is easier to find and cheaper.

‘If I buy ₩400,000 worth of mahogany and ₩1,500,000 worth of Merbau, it will be perfect,’ Woojin planned.

Woojin’s plan was to buy wood in bulk instead of many different items. Then, he would use his woodworking skills to make something new.

WJ Studio orders Glulam all the time. Woojin knew the exact price of mahogany and merbau because he had ordered them last week.

‘I’ll show them how to get exactly ₩1,999,900 worth of materials,’ he thought.

Woojin chose these woods not just for the price. Mahogany has a warm color, while merbau is dark brown. Using these two colors together can create a stylish design.

‘If I use mahogany to highlight the dark merbau, it will look very luxurious,’ he thought.

Mahogany is the highest-grade wood, and merbau is the best value for the price. It’s strong and doesn’t break easily, and it’s cheaper because there’s more of it.

Woojin liked his plan. If it worked, he could get almost ₩2,000,000 worth of materials. And if he used his skills to re-process the wood, it would be worth much more.

“You’re buying this much wood?” Jaeyeop asked.

“Just trust me, hyung,” Woojin said.

“What, more wood? Is it just wood with a different color?” Suha asked.

Woojin smiled mysteriously. “Patience, Noona. Patience.”

Woojin checked the wood and quickly calculated the price in his head. ‘If I take out two bundles of mahogany, it’ll be exactly ₩1,980,000!’

It was impossible to get exactly ₩1,999,900 with just these two items. But getting ₩1,980,000 already was a big advantage for the Jaeyeop team.

There were still ten minutes left. If they could find something worth nine thousand nine hundred won, they would win.

Woojin smiled as he watched the Dooyoung team buying different items across the street.

“Okay, ten minutes left!” the assistant producer shouted. Woojin wasn’t worried. He checked the wood again.

His team was confused by how calm he was.

“Representative Seo! Are you too relaxed?” Jaeyeop asked, carrying a bundle of wood.

Woojin smiled and whispered, “Hyung, we won.”

“What?!” Jaeyeop asked loudly.

Woojin told him to be quiet and explained, “The wood here is exactly ₩1,980,000.”

“Is that really…?” Jaeyeop asked, surprised.

“So, just find something worth ₩19,900.”

Jaeyeop thought it was impossible, but Woojin looked so calm that he believed him.

“Really? Just one thing in that price range?”

“Not just that range, hyung. It has to be exactly that price.”

“Okay,” Jaeyeop said.

“It’ll be a disaster if it’s even ₩100 over!”

“I get it, okay?” Jaeyeop replied.

In the ‘Luxury Housing’ center, the prices of raw materials aren’t clearly marked. But the prices of furniture are exact, and that’s what Woojin was planning to use.

He bought wood, knowing the exact price, and planned to find a cheap item to make the total perfect.

And it worked.

“So, Team Jaeyeop just bought that pile of wood?” Producer Gong asked, surprised.

Suha held up a small item. “Here’s one more, PD-nim!”

The Dooyoung team had many different items, but the Jaeyeop team just had a pile of wood. Kim Ki-sung was confused.

‘What are they going to do with all that wood?’ he wondered.

Producer Gong was worried. ‘Is this okay? Can we continue like this?’

She worried that the Jaeyeop team wouldn’t be able to make anything good with just wood. But then…

“Okay, the results are in, PD-nim,” someone announced.

“Thank you. Give the prices to the camera director,” she replied.

A shocking result was about to be revealed.

“Team Dooyoung’s total is ₩1,857,300!”

“Waaaah……!!”

“And Team Jaeyeop’s total is……”

The camera director couldn’t speak. The number was unbelievable.

“₩1,999,900!!”

Silence fell over the warehouse. Kim Ki-sung’s mouth hung open. Suha stared at Woojin, her eyes wide with surprise. Even the camera crew seemed frozen.

Producer Gong was more surprised than ever. ‘Did they really get the exact price?’ she thought.

They bought a lot of wood, so they must have known the price. The writers said it was impossible to match the price exactly. They were wrong.

‘It’s fun because it’s so unexpected,’ she thought.

But there were two problems.

First, viewers might think the show was fake.

Second, the Jaeyeop team had won so much money that the show’s budget was in trouble.

She could ask for more money, but she would be scolded. The show already cost a lot because of the interior design materials.

The biggest problem was that viewers might think it was fake. They would criticize it if they thought it was artificial.

So, Gong Jin-young had to decide what to do. Should she make the situation fun somehow, or should she ask the Jaeyeop team to re-shoot with a lower price?

The second option was the worst. Changing the show would make it less real and less fun.

So, Producer Gong walked towards Woojin. She had to know how he had done it. And she had to decide what to do next.